Saraswati Puja held in Pimple Saudagar
Hathe Khodi is a crucial ceremony in the life of a Bengali; it is the first time a tiny tot holds chalk (Khodi in Bengali or Khadu in Marathi) under the guidance of elders and attempts to form alphabets on a slate. On the 5th of February, Oikyotan Bangiya Parishad (OBP) organized the Saraswati Puja and hosted the anxious parents with their children’s initiation into the world of knowledge. In Bengali households, children are not allowed to use any writing utensil till they partake in the Hathe Khodi ceremony, a ritual held during the Puja of Ma Saraswati.
Biswajit Saha, secretary of OBP – Pimple Saudagar, said, “The Bengali people from Pimple Saudagar, Wakad, and surrounding areas wore their traditional finery in bright colours and offered their obeisance to the Goddess with Pushpanjali. Then, they enjoyed prasad and bhog to satisfy their palates. With the upcoming annual examinations and the desire for good marks, the teens teemed at the pandal to get their books and pens blessed by the deity. We wish the children to do exceedingly well in their forthcoming examinations. OBP is glad to organise the Saraswati Puja and add to the confidence of the children.”
Further, the dignitaries from the area visited the pandal to seek the blessings of Ma Saraswati. On the 6th of February, the idol of Ma Saraswati was immersed in water with a heavy heart and a desire to welcome her again next year to guide us in our quest for omnipresent knowledge.
